(26 February 2011) The fourth full length album from Beto Vazquez Infinity is entitled Existence. A double album comprised of 20 primary tracks and one bonus track, it is lushly packaged as a double digipak with two CDs and is accompanied by a 28-page full color booklet. Our review was prepared from 20 mp3s provided to us electronically.

Beto Vazquez Infinity (BVI) has had a number of lineup revisions over the four albums released thus far. Today BVI is comprised of Sweden-based Jessica Lehto (lead and backing vocals) and Argentinian musicians: Victor Rivarola (lead and backing vocals), Karina Varela (lead and backing vocals), Carlos Ferrari (lead and rhythm guitars), Lucas Pereyra (lead, rhythm guitars and programming), Beto Vazquez (bass, acoustic, rhythm guitars, programming), Norberto Roman (drums).

Like all BVI albums, contributions from a wide selection of guest artists from around the globe have been included on Existence. As popularized throughout the industry, BVI captures their work remotely. The complete list of artists can be found here or at BVI's Wikipedia entry. See their photos here.

Sadly, while some of the music of Existence can be enjoyed with repeated listenings, the album suffers from two primary faults. First, the album is far too long and consequently it rambles on without having a defined beginning, middle and end. Many of the tracks are samey. Second, the female vocal work has fallen well below BVI standards. It is just way off the mark. Even Jessica Lehto's and Mikki Straatsma's vocal work--which have been superb previously both in their solo and BVI projects--are off the mark. The other female singers vocalists are out of key, at times extremely shrill rather than operatic and are even out of time with the instrumental arrangements.

This album seems to lack the attention to production detail in the orchestration that BVI's former projects had. Maybe it is the remoteness of the guest artists, maybe it's the writing, but certainly it is the production. The album is not melodic. It is full of guitar and instrumental riffs. Has BVI fallen into a slump?